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Cold temperatures have turned Niagara Falls into a winter wonderland, drawing more people than ever usually visit in January.

Thursday, January 4, 2018
4:59:39 EST PM

Ice coats the rocks and observation deck at the base of the Horseshoe falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario on January 3, 2018. The cold snap which has gripped much of Canada and the United States has nearly frozen over the American side of the falls.(Getty Images)

Many marveled at the wonderment of Niagara Falls freezing when the temperature dipped earlier this week.

The temperature drop created a visual display of ice formations, mini glaciers and frozen mist at the popular tourist attraction.

But with its constant movement of the raging Niagara River between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, is the famed falls actually frozen?

Technically, no, says the Niagara Parks Commission.

While there’s the appearance of a frozen falls, Niagara Parks Commission says mist and spray coming from the water creates an ice crust over the raging water, creating the illusion that Niagara Falls has stopped moving.

The icy wonderland that surrounds the falls has attracted more visitors than usual this winter. The images of the “frozen” falls have even garnered worldwide attention with media outlets such as CNN, Washington Post and the BBC taking notice.

“I just wanted to see the ice and the frozen falls,” said Diane Zhao, who made her fourth trip from China to Niagara Falls, Ont. to see it in person. “It’s so huge and beautiful.”

Australian visitor Maya Oxley agreed.

“It’s amazing,” said Oxley, who made the trip to Niagara Falls while visiting her Canadian relatives this week.

According to the Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls has really only stopped once. In March 1848, the falls stopped for 30 hours after millions of tons of ice clogged the Niagara River.